The Long Way (Brett Eldredge song)

"The Long Way" is a song written and recorded by American country music singer Brett Eldredge for his self-titled third studio album (2017). Matt Rogers co-wrote the song, while Ross Copperman co-produced the song with Eldredge.[1] It was first released digitally on May 12, 2017 as a promotional single for the album.[2] "The Long Way" was serviced to American country radio on August 21, 2017 through Atlantic Records and Warner Music Nashville as the second official single from Brett Eldredge.[3]

"The Long Way"
Single by Brett Eldredge
from the album Brett Eldredge
ReleasedAugust 21, 2017 (2017-08-21)
RecordedAugust–September 2016
StudioThe Castle (Nashville, TN)
GenreCountry
Length3:28
LabelAtlantic Nashville
Songwriter(s)
  • Brett Eldredge
  • Matt Rogers
Producer(s)
Brett Eldredge singles chronology
"Somethin' I'm Good At"
(2017)		 "The Long Way"
(2017)		 "Love Someone"
(2018)

Content

"The Long Way" is a midtempo country ballad with influences of pop music.[4] The song is "a look into what I want to find in love," according to a press release from Eldredge.[5] Lyrically, the song describes how a lover can get to know their partner on a deeper level by exploring their history and their hometown.[6] "The Long Way" was written at a time where Eldredge was looking for true love and his cowriter, Matt Rogers, was soon to be married, which inspired the romantic lyrics.[7] Certain details were inspired by the writers' upbringings while others were generalized.[7]

Critical reception

Cillea Houghton of Sounds Like Nashville wrote that "The Long Way" is a "standout track" on the album that "allows his voice to shine," and is a "real charmer."[4] Top Country also labelled the song as a highlight of the album, writing, "the emotional melodies intertwine with the lyrics to make the story come to life, like any perfect country song."[8] Taylor Weatherby of Billboard included "The Long Way" on a list of Eldredge's 10 best songs and wrote, "this love song from his latest record proves that he has quite the range -- while also giving further proof that he’s a king at writing lyrics that make you melt."[9]

Music video

The music video was directed by Jim Shea and premiered on CMT, GAC & CMT Music in October 2017. It features Eldredge and Sadie Robertson dancing. The video has since reached over 22 million views. [10]

Chart performance

"The Long Way" debuted at number 41 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated June 3, 2017.[11] The song sold 11,000 copies in its first week, debuting at number 14 on the Country Digital Song Sales component chart.[12] The song re-entered the chart at number 38 for the week of August 26, 2017 and has since reached a peak position of 23.[13][14] "The Long Way" debuted at number 56 on the Country Airplay chart dated September 9, 2017.[15] The song has sold 137,000 copies in the United States as of March 2018.[16]

Charts

Weekly charts
Chart (2017–18) Peak
position
Canada Country (Billboard)[17] 7
US Billboard Hot 100[18] 65
US Country Airplay (Billboard)[19] 3
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[14] 7


Year-end charts
Chart (2017) Position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[20] 97
Chart (2018) Position
US Country Airplay (Billboard)[21] 13
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[22] 34


Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[23] Gold 40,000
United States (RIAA)[24] Gold 500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Country Date Format Label Ref.
Worldwide May 12, 2017 Digital download Atlantic [25]
United States August 21, 2017 Country radio
[3]

References
  1. "The Long Way - Brett Eldredge | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  2. "Brett Eldredge Debuts New Single 'The Long Way'". Radio.com. CBS Corporation. May 12, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  3. "Future Releases for Country Radio Stations". All Access Media Group. Archived from the original on August 15, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  4. Houghton, Cillea (August 2, 2017). "Album Review: Brett Eldredge's Self-Titled Fourth Album". Sounds Like Nashville. SpinMedia. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  5. Brickey, Kelly (August 11, 2017). "Brett Eldredge Gets Vulnerable About Love in 'The Long Way'". Sounds Like Nashville. SpinMedia. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  6. Stefano, Angela (August 7, 2017). "Brett Eldredge Shares 'The Long Way' as Next Single [LISTEN]". The Boot. Townsquare Media. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  7. Dukes, Billy. "Lyrics Uncovered: Brett Eldredge, 'The Long Way'". Taste of Country. Townsquare Media. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  8. "On Repeat: Brett Eldredge's New Self-Titled Album". Top Country. TC Inc. August 15, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  9. Weatherby, Taylor (August 14, 2017). "Brett Eldredge's 10 Best Songs: Critic's Picks". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  10. "The Long Way". Youtube. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  11. "Hot Country Songs: The Week of June 3, 2017". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  12. Bjorke, Matt (May 23, 2017). "Top 30 Digital Country Singles Chart: May 23, 2017". Roughstock. Cheri Media. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  13. "Hot Country Songs: The Week of August 26, 2017". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  14. "Brett Eldredge Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  15. "Chart history for "The Long Way" on Country Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  16. Bjorke, Matt (March 28, 2018). "Top 30 Digital Country Singles: March 28, 2019". Roughstock. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  17. "Brett Eldredge Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  18. "Brett Eldredge Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  19. "Brett Eldredge Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  20. "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  21. "Country Airplay – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  22. "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  23. "Canadian single certifications – Brett Eldredge – The Long Way". Music Canada. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  24. "American single certifications – Brett Eldredge – The Long Way". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 26, 2018. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  25. "The Long Way - Brett Eldredge | Release Info". AllMusic. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
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